New Boxster owner trying to sort out a couple of issues

[T M]

First off. Good morning and Happy new year!

 

Recently purchased a 2000 S six speed with 58,000 miles from a divorce fire sale for the rock bottom price of $4000. Car was not running at the time the previous owner stated that he was coming up his driveway and the power steering and AC stopped working so he parked the car in his garage in 2017 until I purchased the car back in October of this year.

 

Towed the car home installed a new battery and the car started right up. Noticed the high temp light was on so I shut it down pulled the engine cover and noticed the belt was broken which explained the no AC and high temp warning light. The culprit was a seized water pump

 

Loaded the car back on the my trailer and towed it down to a local shop that I have been using for years and had the water pump, belt and thermostat replaced along with an oil and filter change.

 

While it was at the shop I had the mechanic try to figure out why the windows would not go down. When you open the door the windows drop about 1 inch and then close once the doors are closed but will not work with the switches located on the center console. Checked all the fuses and relays and just spent the last hour watching videos so I think it might be the micro switch?

 

When I first purchased the car the top worked without any issues when I towed the vehicle down to the mechanic for the water pump replacement I tried to lower the roof so I could get out of the car and it went down about 90% and stopped. Again all the fuses and relays seem to be fine. Ended up disconnecting the power unit and now the roof is in manual mode only.

 

I have since put about a 120 miles on the car and everything else seems to be in good working order. Only wish the weather would cooperate so I could log somemore miles.

 

So to recap.

1. Windows will not go up or down with the center console switch

2. Roof no longer works.

3. Need code for the radio (I read the DIY code topic so I will be addressing that later today)

4. Rear axle boots are torn and need to be replaced ( suggestions on where to order replacements)

5. Suggestions on any thing else that should be addressed on a car that has been sitting for almost four years

6. Wondering if there was a local shop around Quakertown PA that specilized in Porsche vehicles

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

 

 

Edited January 2, 2022 by T M

[txhokie4life]

Great find

 

Go to 986forum

find johnPA (I think) … he’s the boxster rock star I think he’s in your area.

 

[crwarren11]

Welcome to the group! Sounds like you got an amazing deal and all items are pretty typical for these cars, and you have come to the right place for assistance!

1 and 2. Sounds like you are on the right track.

3. You can get radio code on the thread dedicated to that here. 

4. I just did mine. It is a bit tedious and messy but doable if you want to diy. Parts are very cheap - FCP, Pelican, ECS, pick your poison. 

5. I suspect most will say infamous IMS but you can research and decide for yourself. 
6. Not sure there! 

Best of luck!
 

[Loren]

1 hour ago, txhokie4life said:

Great find

 

Go to 986forum

find johnPA (I think) … he’s the boxster rock star I think he’s in your area.

 

 

John in PA is here also - he is a moderator and staff here.

[JFP in PA]

44 minutes ago, Loren said:

 

John in PA is here also - he is a moderator and staff here.

 

Who is currently getting some holiday beach time in SC, but always willing to help, even long distance!

 

The axle boots are a messy, but otherwise easy DIY project.  As you can only get one CV joint off the shaft, you need to pull the axles and disassemble them, and after a cleaning, repack the CV’s and slide on the new boots and boot clamps.  Several companies sell boot kits and CV grease as kits, but you can also get them from board sponsor Sunset Porsche as well.  This project has been; written up on multiple sites

 

When I hear about electrical gremlins like your windows and top in a car that has been in storage, first thing I think of is rodent damage on the wiring harnesses, or a bad electrical section on the ignition switch.  I’d start by accessing both the window and top switches and checking them for power when the key is on; if not, a tool like the Power Probe which can apply fused power to a circuit to see if it works will tell you if it is the harness going to the device is intact.  If jumping the switch activates the device, you have a power supply problem, which points back to the ignition switch.  Fortunately, the electrical section of the ignition is cheap (a VW/Audi part) and again a popular DIY project that has been written up multiple times.

 

For a car that has been sitting, I would plan on replacing every fluid (oil, gear oil, brake fluid, anti freeze, power steering fluid).  All are popular DIY items, and it is always a good idea to replace everything that you do not know the age of.

[T M]

17 hours ago, JFP in PA said:

Who is currently getting some holiday beach time in SC, but always willing to help, even long distance!-Enjoy your holiday

 

The axle boots are a messy, but otherwise easy DIY project.  As you can only get one CV joint off the shaft, you need to pull the axles and disassemble them, and after a cleaning, repack the CV’s and slide on the new boots and boot clamps.  Several companies sell boot kits and CV grease as kits, but you can also get them from board sponsor Sunset Porsche as well.  This project has been; written up on multiple sites- Should I replace the entire axles or just the boot?

 

When I hear about electrical gremlins like your windows and top in a car that has been in storage, first thing I think of is rodent damage on the wiring harnesses, or a bad electrical section on the ignition switch.  I’d start by accessing both the window and top switches and checking them for power when the key is on; if not, a tool like the Power Probe which can apply fused power to a circuit to see if it works will tell you if it is the harness going to the device is intact.  If jumping the switch activates the device, you have a power supply problem, which points back to the ignition switch.  Fortunately, the electrical section of the ignition is cheap (a VW/Audi part) and again a popular DIY project that has been written up multiple times.-When I try to activate the top you can hear the motor kick on for a brief second and then shut down so I believe there is power to the switch. I will check the window switch again later today

 

For a car that has been sitting, I would plan on replacing every fluid (oil, gear oil, brake fluid, anti freeze, power steering fluid).  All are popular DIY items, and it is always a good idea to replace everything that you do not know the age of.-The anti freeze was replaced with the new water pump also had the oil changed at the same time. I'll look into the power steering and brake fluid. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Edited January 3, 2022 by T M

[Loren]

In most cases it is best to replace the whole axle since water and dirt have likely gotten into the CV joint. 

 

You can use Durametric or PIWIS software to help diagnose the top issues. The software can help narrow down the microswitch or motor problem.

[mikefocke]

How old are the tires (date code on sidewall)? I presume new battery.